For comment: Possibly a 'Berber saber'

Ron Anderson · 25th September 2010, 05:15 AM

Hi Lee

I bought an item very similar on eBay earlier. It was described as African. When I researched further it became clear that it was in fact South American, as you have yourself indicated it might be.

Horn handle like yours, slightly different pattern. After looking at mine I can start to see the resemble a Collins machete. I think yours is probably also a 19th century Collins machete.

But I say that with reservations as I have very seen broadly similar swords being sold as Berber swords.

Does yours have a leather scabbard. I think the fact that you have a western marking on it indicates to me it is probably a Collins machete, which was producted mainly for the Cuban/Latin American market.

I'll post pictures as soon as I get the chance.

Regards
Ron

Ron Anderson · 25th September 2010, 05:27 AM

Could I clarify that.

Your blade is not all that much like a machete. Mine is clearly, on analysis, like a very exotic Collins machete. However, the similarity in the hilts between your sword, mine and others I have seen suggests Latin America.

Collins machetes from Cuba (where mine is probably from) often featured these interesting horn hilts.

Is it possible that these sorts of weapons were also employed in the Spanish American War? I would date both yours and mine to around that era certainly.

Perhaps someone else can answer that.

Ron Anderson · 25th September 2010, 05:43 AM

Also, I can't quite read what it says on your sword blade but it looks very Spanishy to me!

I'm almost certain that this is a variant of the famous Collins machete. They did make swords for South America. In fact, they were a key exporter of military pattern swords to that region. And though yours has a curve, the hatchet point could be well be the kind of thing that came from the Collins stable.

katana · 25th September 2010, 10:55 AM

I think Wayne may be correct about the blade...The posted sword and the LC 1796 sword shown together on the pictures posted by Wayne seem to be to scale. The LC blade is longer as it still has the tang....I believe on the posted sword the tang was removed....the forte re-worked so that slabs could be fitted.
Origins

really could be arabic or South American....at the moment I'm siding with South American. The LC 1796 was adopted by the Prussians,1811 pattern or "Blücher sabre" and used by Portuguese and Spanish cavalry.....

Regards David

ariel · 25th September 2010, 11:41 AM

I have already shown one of my Nimchas: the blade is marked Nueva Granada, ie. what is currently Colombia.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=granada

Spain had possessions in North Africa, and it is not out of court that some blades manufactured in the American colonies could have found their way to the North African ones. By the same token, N. African sabers could have been brought to the New World to start a new fashion. It was " all in the family".

25th September 2010, 05:15 AM	#1
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi Lee I bought an item very similar on eBay earlier. It was described as African. When I researched further it became clear that it was in fact South American, as you have yourself indicated it might be. Horn handle like yours, slightly different pattern. After looking at mine I can start to see the resemble a Collins machete. I think yours is probably also a 19th century Collins machete. But I say that with reservations as I have very seen broadly similar swords being sold as Berber swords. Does yours have a leather scabbard. I think the fact that you have a western marking on it indicates to me it is probably a Collins machete, which was producted mainly for the Cuban/Latin American market. I'll post pictures as soon as I get the chance. Regards Ron

25th September 2010, 05:27 AM	#2
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Could I clarify that. Your blade is not all that much like a machete. Mine is clearly, on analysis, like a very exotic Collins machete. However, the similarity in the hilts between your sword, mine and others I have seen suggests Latin America. Collins machetes from Cuba (where mine is probably from) often featured these interesting horn hilts. Is it possible that these sorts of weapons were also employed in the Spanish American War? I would date both yours and mine to around that era certainly. Perhaps someone else can answer that.

25th September 2010, 05:43 AM	#3
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Also, I can't quite read what it says on your sword blade but it looks very Spanishy to me! I'm almost certain that this is a variant of the famous Collins machete. They did make swords for South America. In fact, they were a key exporter of military pattern swords to that region. And though yours has a curve, the hatchet point could be well be the kind of thing that came from the Collins stable.

25th September 2010, 10:55 AM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	I think Wayne may be correct about the blade...The posted sword and the LC 1796 sword shown together on the pictures posted by Wayne seem to be to scale. The LC blade is longer as it still has the tang....I believe on the posted sword the tang was removed....the forte re-worked so that slabs could be fitted. Origins really could be arabic or South American....at the moment I'm siding with South American. The LC 1796 was adopted by the Prussians,1811 pattern or "Blücher sabre" and used by Portuguese and Spanish cavalry..... Regards David

25th September 2010, 11:41 AM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I have already shown one of my Nimchas: the blade is marked Nueva Granada, ie. what is currently Colombia. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=granada Spain had possessions in North Africa, and it is not out of court that some blades manufactured in the American colonies could have found their way to the North African ones. By the same token, N. African sabers could have been brought to the New World to start a new fashion. It was " all in the family".